I read the words left behind from people who are faceless to me. None of you had the privilege or honor of knowing this brave little kitty, but she somehow struck a chord in all of us to respond to her spirit. The comments left on these pages could have been typed by me, and I suspect that ALL of you have known a Shell in your lives at one time or another.
Stray cats, they don’t get much of a break. They are usually labeled as “feral” or diseased. They are ignored, abused, tormented and very rarely ever loved. For Shell, her hell existed with a woman who didn’t have the capacity to understand that cats need basic things to stay alive and healthy. Her mind was as diseased as poor Shell’s mouth became over time. They both suffered because of this neglect, the woman got evicted, her cats were taken from her and each cat in the colony (ten total) all suffer from various forms of neglect.
I have two more of her colony mates now in the bedroom. A dilute tortie girl (short-haired) who probably got hit by a car and can’t walk or jump like a normal cat- she still needs a name. I haven’t quite found one to fit her yet. She is so friendly- she will knock you over to get you to rub on her and the wounds from the collision are finally starting to heal. She needs to be loved, craves it actually- it is the energy that sustains her I believe. Understanding that human touch is good and she just can’t get enough.
Samson is a big white fella “older than the hills” according to my vet. Like Shell, he too has lost most of his teeth, but his mouth, thankfully is free of gum disease or stomatitis and the only cancer he has appears on the tips of his ears.
These cats like so many others who hide in the shadows always amaze me when they come to someone who knows that they matter. It may take a few days, weeks or even months to get them to trust you- but when that moment happens, when a Shell of a cat emerges from her cage, tail up and eyes bright to say a proper “How do you do!” Why friends, you just hit the lottery!
They teach us so much if we are willing to listen. To slow down, to decrease the demands on them to “act like other cats” to not scratch furniture, or miss the litter pans, or bite or growl or…or..or..do everything that they instinctually will do to survive. That most feel is “inappropriate behavior.”
When Shell went so many days without pooping, I knew then that she was not meant to be here long. They can go a day or two without pooping and not raise concern, but four days, either she didn’t have the energy to do her business, or she was trying to tell me “Mom, I really do like it here- but there is something not right with me. I need to go home.”
I woke up this morning and had a clowder cluster on my chest; Turner, Trump, Chappy, MK and Muddy all lying around my head neck and chest. Weighted down with these felines, I couldn’t move. I was in a cat strait jacket. I believe they were comforting me, had heard me weeping in the night and were clustered around me to say- “We are here. We are here because of you. We want for nothing, we have a roof over our heads, food on our plates, a kind vet to help us when we are sick. We are here and we thank you for caring and we know, that sometime soon another Shell will arrive here and need you and all you offer.”
They were all looking at me in the mid-morning light. Perhaps trying to understand how people can be so different to them. Some kind, some not so much. They were a comforting blanket on a bleak day in my heart.
So, I read these comments and I weep because I know that there are other Shell’s out there, not yet discovered. Living in filth and fear, trying to survive until one of us finds her and brings her to safety.
We have been offline for a bit and only now learned about Shell. WE are so sorry she had to leave. We thank you so much for the love you gave her in the all too short time you had her. We also purr for all the other Shells out there.
Purrs Tillie and Georgia
The piece below is called The Animal Savior, by Jim Willis. I added a line or two to makw it more meaningful for me. I know you can relate. It’s as if this was written about you!
“I watch all the emaciated strays in my neighborhood darting nervously between the houses in search of food, a safe place to sleep, or a kind word. I look at all the caged animals at the shelter…..all the cast-offs of human society. I see in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal, and I was overwhelmed with sadness. “God,” I said, “this is terrible! Why don’t you do something?” God was silent for a moment and then spoke softly, “But, I have done something…I created you.””
I believe your cats know when you are in grief or stress. Were they purring on you? Miss K seemed to know I was hurting while I was getting the phone call telling me of my Dad’s death.
We only just read about Shell as #1 was away. We are so sorry that she did not make it, but we are also utterly convinced in our belief that you gave her the greatest gift you could. You took her in when she had nothing, and loved and nursed her. She left this earth cared for and surrounded by love. She was not alone.
You did everything you could — sometimes it’s the timing that is off. If the cats were discovered a week or a month earlier, perhaps you could have saved Shell. All those cats would have been better off if that deranged woman had not tried to “save” them. Yes, some of them might have died anyway, but some of them might have come to the attention of someone, like yourself, who could have truly saved them. It is heartbreaking. Cat rescuers like me, like you, bear the scars of those who just don’t make it. We have to turn our attention to those who are left still struggling…
We wish peace to Shell. We did not know her, but we have read the hardships of her life. Peace over The Bridge, sweet abused kittie. Where all hurts are fixed and life is what it was always supposed to be.
We only just learned of Shell’s passing. We are so sorry that she didn’t make it, but we know that you what you did for her, the love and care you gave her let her know that she mattered, she was loved. She was an important cat. Every cat in the world matters, no matter their circumstances. Thank you for helping this little girl, thank you for giving her a gentle and peaceful passing. The memories of Shell are so precious
Fly free beautiful Shell, keep an eye on those you left behind, you mattered very much
Whicky Wuudler
Oliver
Gerry
& The Ape
This morning I eagerly checked on my online friends after not being on line since Friday. Darling Girl I just learned you have gone on to the bridge. How brave, loving and special you and your momma are. Mary Ann, thank you for sharing this precious, beautiful being with us. And thank you Shell, for all that you went through you were strong enough to love again.
Marian in Houston
“I weep because I know that there are other Shell’s out there, not yet discovered. Living in filth and fear, trying to survive until one of us finds her and brings her to safety” ~ but there are also angels like you, who care and love and give their all. And although there will sadly always be more strays than angels to care for them, if we all do what we can it will help. Thank you for doing your bit.
I just discovered Shell’s story, too. Please accept my thoughts and prayers — and yes, my tears, too. Peace and blessings to you both. And thank you for all you do for all the kitties. I know they appreciate it more than they can ever say.